[masraum]

Originally Posted by gtc

I've had a few. I quickly discovered that it is pretty important to determine the species and find out how to care for them individually.

I had a home depot phalaenopsis that absolutely thrived in the original moss/junk potting material with it's roots soaked, despite all advice to re-pot it.

Exactly. They have varying needs for water, light, temp etc... Some grow in dirt, some grow in a very coarse media like bark chips (or balls of baked clay like the clay pots are made of). Some stay small and some can get enormous. It's important to either research after you buy (or even better, before you buy).